Mile 8, Harris Beach SP Picnic Area was full of activity this beautiful Saturday morning with plenty of sunshine and fresh air. The amount of beach sand brought in by Mother Nature this summer in this area is more than I have seen in the past 8 years. Most of...read more

May 14, 2017 - DewPoint Dave

After several days of rain families and individuals were enjoying a sunny morning at Harris Beach State Park. Five Black Oystercatchers were observed feeding near the shoreline and these were reported to the coordinator of the Black Oystercatcher Abundance Study.read more

2016

December 14, 2016 - DewPoint Dave

Mile 8, Harris Beach SP Picnic Area, King Tide (+8.7 ft) at 10:00 am left very little beach area for recreation.read more

May 13, 2016 - DewPoint Dave

240 7th Grade students from Medford greatly increased the head count on Mile 8 on May 13, 2016. The students enjoyed playing beach volleyball, football toss, playing in the surf, and beachcombing. Beach erosion was observed at the north end of Mile 8 and the normal beach sand recovery which...read more

2015

I covered the miles both North and South of Harris Creek and was pleasantly surprised at the health of the sea star population.read more

February 22, 2015 - DewPoint Dave

Another beautiful February day welcomed a number of beachgoers at Harris Beach State Park. The beach area was vast at low tide and the surface had been swept clean of debris by the recent King Tides. Only a few pieces of wood were found in the driftline. Tidepool observations included...read more

2014

December 30, 2014 - DewPoint Dave

A cool but beautiful morning at low tide was being enjoyed by 21 people and 5 dogs on Mile 8 at Harris Beach S. P. picnic area, Goat (Bird) Island. Eight cars and one RV were counted in the lower parking area above the beach. The driftline contained very little...read more

September 9, 2014 - DewPoint Dave

Twenty-six people and eleven dogs were seen enjoying the sunny weather along Mile 8 at Harris Beach State Park. Twelve cars and trucks were counted in the parking area above the beach. The natural ponding of Harris Creek made it a little more difficult for people to access the beach...read more

At least two whales spouting and breaching South of Goat Island at a distance of between 1/2 and 1 mile offshore. Assume these are residents who are not migrating Northread more

May 20, 2014 - DewPoint Dave

Nineteen people and four dogs (on leashes) were seen enjoying a beautiful day and a very clean beach area at Harris Beach State Park. All 16 cars and 1 RV were located in the parking lot above the picnic area at Harris Beach. The driftline contained very little debris and...read more

2011

September 19, 2011 - George

A busy afternoon at Harris Beach despite the fog. Nothing alarming to report. First sighting by this observer of a semipalmated plover at this location.read more

June 21, 2011 - George

Harris Beach was a scene of bustling activity, human and natural, on a clear warm day. The beach itself was remarkably free of litter and ocean debris. Sand levels have been restored since the tsunami of 3/11. Heavy fishing activity by pelicans and cormorants in and around kelp beds. First...read more

March 16, 2011 - George

At Harris Beach the tsunami of 3/11/11 consisted of ebb and flow from the normal highest tide to much lower than the normal lowest tide on a cycle of 7 - 8 minutes for at least 6 hours. The appearance of smooth red rocks which I have never seen before...read more

2010

December 20, 2010 - George

A stormy day with just a few storm watchers and relatively little other activity. Lots of driftwood movement in recent storms. Access ramp from parking lot has much improved a hazardous access path, but is somewhat unsightly from the beach (see photo). Lots of bits of plastic in driftline.read more